Meet the Directors
Dr. Helen Lee Heading link
Dr. Helen Lee is a tenured Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and a clinician-scientist with a remarkable background in health research, focusing on disparities at the intersection of medicine and dentistry. She has earned recognition for her exceptional contributions to healthcare education and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Dr. Lee’s academic journey is marked by excellence. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Boston University. Her medical journey began at the University of North Dakota, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Her specialized training includes anesthesiology and critical care at the University of Chicago, followed by fellowships in pediatric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins. She further honed her research expertise during a fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Dr. Lee’s impressive journey has led her to the role of Director of the GPPA Medical Scholars Program. Her tenure promises a commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and fostering diversity in the medical field.
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Dr. Lee’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Her active mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students across various health professions, including medicine, dentistry, public health, psychology, and economics, reflects her dedication to nurturing future healthcare leaders. She co-created and co-leads the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s Mission-Driven Mentoring Program, further emphasizing her commitment to mentorship and diversity.
Dr. Lee is not only an accomplished scholar but also a public engagement advocate. She serves as a Collaborating Scholar at the Institute of Government & Public Affairs within the University of Illinois system. In recognition of her expertise and potential for positive change, she was selected as a Public Voices Fellow in 2021-22, a program that equips academic faculty with the skills to communicate effectively with the public.
While Dr. Chambers and Dr. Rhonna Cohen, who served as Associate Director from 2010 to 2023, will remain actively involved in the program, Dr. Lee is set to lead the GPPA Medical Scholars Program into an exciting future. Her introduction to the incoming first-year class at their welcoming ceremony was just the beginning, with additional town hall meetings scheduled to engage with all Medical Scholars Program students in the coming months.
We invite you to get to know Dr. Helen Lee, a dynamic and visionary leader in medical education and research. Her dedication to excellence, mentorship, and diversity in healthcare is paving the way for the future of medicine.
Professor Swirsky Heading link
Professor Swirsky has played significant roles in health humanities and medical education at UIC since 2008. He has created and delivered in-person, online, and hybrid health humanities curricula at UIC from baccalaureate through professional levels, and across disciplines, including medicine, biomedical health informatics, integrated health studies, and rehabilitation sciences. In the UI College of Medicine, Professor Swirsky serves as college-wide subtheme co-leader of the Health Humanities Subtheme with a focus on ethics and history, and he delivers medical colloquia focused on negotiation, managing difficult conversations, and wellness. Additionally, he mentors Honors student research projects and has delivered numerous Honors seminars related to medical ethics, healthcare technology, religion, and professionalism.
Professor Swirsky’s research agenda explores root causes of moral distress embedded within pre-clinical and undergraduate medical education. He currently leads multiple grant-funded studies on moral distress in health professions education—Honors and GPPA students are among his key research personnel. Through his teaching, research, and service, Professor Swirsky’s contributions have enhanced the educational experience and addressed critical aspects of medical training for learners in pre-medical programs and during medical education.
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Professor Swirsky serves as faculty and director of graduate studies in the College of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences and holds appointments in the College of Medicine, Department of Medical Education and the Honors College. He has a diverse educational background that includes a BA in religious studies (Ithaca College, 1991), an MA in South Asian Studies (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996), a juris doctor degree (American University, 2000), a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical medical ethics (University of Chicago Medicine, 2012) and a master’s in health professions education (University of Illinois Chicago, 2023). Professor Swirsky serves numerous health and education-related boards, including the Chicagoland COVID-19 Pandemic Response Commons, the Board of Directors of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, and is a past chair of the Board of Directors of The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.